Lessons I Learned in Law

Heriot Brown
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Scott Brown is a 'recovering lawyer'. Following years working in international law firms, Scott now runs Heriot Brown, a Legal Recruitment business. His extensive discussions with people across the legal profession have given him insight into what makes lawyers tick. Now, Scott shares those insights with you - to help you in your career. On each episode Scott invites guests to leave their egos at their door, share their professional successes and challenges, as well as the lessons they've learned in law. Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment. Follow Heriot Brown:Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

  1. 🎙️ Perspective, Candour and Strategic Leadership: Rachel Canham at Rentokil Initial (100th Episode Special)

    4 DAYS AGO

    🎙️ Perspective, Candour and Strategic Leadership: Rachel Canham at Rentokil Initial (100th Episode Special)

    Episode 100: Perspective, Candour, and Strategic Leadership — Rachel Canham, Rentokil Initial  In the 100th episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Rachel Canham, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Rentokil Initial, reflects on what it actually takes to operate as a strategic leader at executive level — across a legal function of around 70 lawyers spanning 90 countries.  Rachel stepped into her first "top seat" role after a career that took her from private practice through senior in-house roles, and the shift required more than technical excellence. It required a change in mindset and responsibility that she's still refining.  Three lessons shape the conversation: Perspective. Shaped by personal adversity, Rachel explains why the best lawyers in a crisis aren't the ones who panic, but the ones who can zoom out and make balanced decisions when the stakes are highest. Calm, objective, clear-headed — and aware that most things are less catastrophic than they first appear. Candour. Rachel makes the case that candour is one of the most underrated qualities at senior leadership level — but only works if you've done the groundwork. Building trust, credibility, and human connection first is what earns you the right to be honest later, even when the message isn't well received. Strategic leadership. Rachel pushes back on the familiar "business partner" framing for in-house lawyers. Her view: lawyers shouldn't be partnering from the sidelines. They should be embedded in decision-making, contributing beyond legal advice, and taking an active role in delivering strategy. Rachel was recorded the same day she addressed the haggis at our Charity General Counsel Burns Supper — in a style I'm unlikely to forget. Genuinely grateful she agreed to be the 100th guest. About the guest Rachel Canham is Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Rentokil Initial, the FTSE-listed pest control and hygiene services business. She leads a global legal function of around 70 lawyers across 90 countries and sits on the company's executive team. Guest recommendation Song: Belter — Gerry Cinnamon Resources mentioned Register your interest in The Lodge, Heriot Brown's in-house legal community: https://bit.ly/TheLodgebyHB Give us a Follow!  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/4 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ About the show Lessons I Learned in Law is the podcast from Heriot Brown, the specialist in-house legal recruitment firm. Host Scott Brown sits down with senior in-house lawyers to hear how they got where they are, what they wish they'd known, and what they're still trying to figure out.  This episode is produced in partnership with Wordsmith — the legal AI platform built for in-house teams.  Find more at heriotbrown.com. 00:00 Opening insight – The courage to be candid  01:13 Scott introduces Rachel Canham, GC Rentokil Initial  04:48 Stepping into the GC role & executive leadership  10:06 Lesson 1 – Perspective shapes better judgment  17:07 Lesson 2 – The power of candour in leadership  24:50 Lesson 3 – From business partner to strategic leader  30:18 Building commercial thinking & executive presence  33:38 Hot or Not – AI, legal leadership & career positioning  43:36 Personal brand, visibility & standing out as a lawyer  44:54 Walk-on so

    47 min
  2. Lean Into Your USP: Dean Nash at Banco Santander on Momentum, Leadership and Legal Transformation

    26 MAR

    Lean Into Your USP: Dean Nash at Banco Santander on Momentum, Leadership and Legal Transformation

    Dean Nash, Global Chief Operating Officer for Legal at Banco Santander, joins Scott Brown to share practical leadership lessons from operating at scale within one of the world’s largest legal functions. In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Dean reflects on his move away from the traditional General Counsel path into a newly created global operations role focused on transforming a 1,700-lawyer legal organisation. His first lesson centres on identifying and leaning into your unique strengths. Rather than obsessing over weaknesses, he explains how recognising what genuinely gives you energy can unlock unexpected career opportunities and shape more fulfilling leadership paths. Dean’s second lesson is grounded in execution: learning to create momentum and “get things done” in environments that often reward over-analysis. Drawing on experiences in early-stage fintech and global banking, he explores how in-house lawyers can think more commercially by treating legal support as a product that helps businesses grow while managing risk. His final reflection highlights the importance of maintaining interests beyond the day job. By building perspective and protecting personal identity from becoming too tied to professional roles, he argues that lawyers can remain clearer-headed advisers and more resilient leaders. Guest Recommendations: Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins Podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode Executive Counsel Accelerator (ECA): https://www.cpduk.co.uk/courses/heriot-brown-executive-counsel-accelerator-eca-course The Lodge In-house Legal Community: https://forms.office.com/e/Pq7Uyv8xnS The Lodge In-house Legal Community: https://bit.ly/TheLodgebyHB Connect with Heriot Brown https://heriotbrown.com/ Give us a follow ·       Spotify: https://lnkd.in/er928hqJ ·       Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/ea6Y4JYy ·       YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eAeMvrgz About Heriot Brown: At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave a review, and share it with colleagues growing their careers in legal leadership. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Opening insight – Creating momentum in business  00:56 Scott introduces Dean Nash, COO Legal at Santander  03:00 Global legal operations role & transformation remit  08:37 Lesson 1 – Lean into your unique selling point  18:14 Lesson 2 – Get shit done & create commercial momentum  21:03 Helping the business make money faster – in-house mindset  25:52 Lesson 3 – Don’t let your identity become your job title  30:18 Did I Say This? – leadership quotes & light-hearted debate  32:29 AI governance, advisory roles & future of legal leadership  35:52 Book, podcast & walk-on song reflections

    39 min
  3. 🎙️ Insight Over Information: Justine Campbell at National Grid on Context, Integrity and Leading at Scale

    19 MAR

    🎙️ Insight Over Information: Justine Campbell at National Grid on Context, Integrity and Leading at Scale

    Justine Campbell, Chief Legal Officer at National Grid, joins Scott Brown to share grounded leadership insights from operating at the centre of a complex, global energy business. In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Justine reflects on what it truly means to influence at senior level in-house. She explains why the most effective lawyers focus on delivering insight rather than just information, understanding business context, stakeholder priorities and the pace at which decisions need to be made. She also explores how strong legal leadership is built through assembling diverse, high-performing teams. From creating space for constructive challenge to investing in trusted peer networks outside the organisation, Justine shares candid reflections on how perspective shapes better judgement. Her final lesson centres on recognising the responsibility that comes with senior legal roles. Whether advising boards, managing crises or shaping organisational integrity, she highlights why lawyers must balance technical excellence with emotional intelligence and resilience. Listeners also hear personal insights, including her early ambitions outside law and the importance she places on maintaining curiosity throughout her career. Guest Recommendations: Podcast: The Rest is HistoryPodcast: RUNABook: Persuasion by Jane AustenResources & Links Mentioned in This Episode Executive Counsel Accelerator (ECA): https://www.cpduk.co.uk/courses/heriot-brown-executive-counsel-accelerator-eca-courseThe Lodge In-house Legal Community: https://forms.office.com/e/Pq7Uyv8xnSThe Lodge In-house Legal Community: https://bit.ly/TheLodgebyHBConnect with Heriot Brown https://heriotbrown.com/About Heriot Brown: At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave a review, and share it with colleagues building their careers in legal leadership. Chapters: 00:00 Opening reflection – Insight over information   00:48 Scott introduces Justine Campbell, CLO National Grid   02:35 Justine’s career journey & leadership scope   06:52 Lesson 1 – Insight matters more than technical brilliance   14:10 Building trust with stakeholders & commercial judgement   20:42 Lesson 2 – Leading teams through challenge and change   29:18 Developing future legal leaders & succession mindset   36:05 Lesson 3 – Owning your voice and influence   44:12 GC Hot or Not – Leadership visibility & career signals   49:30 Walk-on song, personal reflections & closing

    47 min
  4. Beyond the Title: Kevin Massie on Earning Your Seat at the Table as GC of a FTSE 30

    12 MAR

    Beyond the Title: Kevin Massie on Earning Your Seat at the Table as GC of a FTSE 30

    Season 9 of Lessons I Learned in Law opens with a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Kevin Massie, Chief Legal, Risk, Governance and Compliance Officer at Imperial Brands PLC, a FTSE 30 business with 25,000+ employees globally. Just over a year into the role, Kevin reflects on stepping into one of the UK’s most senior in-house legal positions and why the title alone doesn’t guarantee influence. Kevin’s first lesson centres on work-life balance, but not in the traditional sense. From late-night IPO drafting as a trainee in Canada to navigating a demanding first year as GC alongside personal challenges at home, he shares why balance isn’t about rigid boundaries, it’s about building structures that allow you to flex when life demands it. His second lesson is a pivotal leadership moment: realising that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Kevin explains how a near-miss on a major internal project reshaped his view of leadership, from proving individual brilliance to assembling and empowering people who think differently and better than you. The third lesson focuses on networking without agenda. Kevin recounts how a long-standing mentor invested in a relationship with no commercial expectation, a powerful reminder that authentic connection, not transactional networking, builds a durable career. Along the way, Kevin shares insights on succession planning, international mobility, building diverse leadership teams, and why lawyers must earn their seat at the table, it isn’t automatically granted. About Heriot Brown: At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 00:00 Genuine connection & networking mindset  00:52 Introduction – Kevin Massie, GC Imperial Brands  02:09 Scope of the GC role & global team structure  05:46 Icebreaker – Farming dreams & life in the Peak District  07:20 Lesson 1 – Work-life balance isn’t binary  10:19 Setting boundaries & supporting junior lawyers  12:05 International career moves – Canada to Dubai to Cape Town  15:34 Lesson 2 – If you’re the smartest in the room, leave  18:24 Leadership growth & building stronger teams  21:45 Succession planning & developing future GCs  26:43 Expanding remit – Risk, governance & board exposure  29:30 Earning a seat at the executive table  31:28 Lesson 3 – Networking authentically & giving back  35:04 Spotting real relationships vs transactional networking  37:29 GC Hot or Not – Legal conferences & business partnering  39:55 International mobility for in-house lawyers  41:05 US firms vs Magic Circle debate  43:01 Walk-on song & episode wrap-up

    45 min
  5. We are LIVE! With Jim Reid, CLO at Fortis Inc.

    11/12/2025

    We are LIVE! With Jim Reid, CLO at Fortis Inc.

    Season 8 of Lessons I Learned in Law continues! This week, Scott is joined by Jim Reid, Chief Legal Officer at Fortis, the $35bn North American utilities group headquartered in Newfoundland, Canada. Jim’s career shift is one many lawyers dream about but rarely execute—moving directly from partnership at leading Canadian firm Davies into his first-ever in-house role as a general counsel. In this episode, Jim reflects on the lessons forged during nearly twenty years in private practice and the mindset required to thrive once inside the C-suite. His first lesson centres on resilience—not the glossy version, but the kind earned through long hours, unpredictable workflows, cancelled holidays, and early-career mistakes. Jim explains why resilience, more than intelligence or technical talent, is what determines who survives and progresses in the high-intensity world of transactional law. His second lesson explores the real engine of a legal career: people. From dealing with difficult partners and stressed clients to mentoring junior lawyers, Jim explains why being respected, curious and reliable matters far more than chasing perfection. It’s people—not deal sheets—that shape the most meaningful parts of a legal career. Jim’s final lesson is a powerful one for any lawyer eyeing the GC seat: get comfortable being uncomfortable. He recounts how stepping into an executive role required him to stop hiding behind subject-matter expertise and instead contribute to broad business decisions, even when surrounded by industry veterans. As CLO, his job is no longer to simply advise—but to decide. Jim also discusses leading a decentralised legal structure across ten utilities, the importance of local presence in regulated markets, building credibility as a business leader, and why live music—from Canadian icons The Tragically Hip to The Lumineers—remains his favourite way to reconnect with people. Guest Recommendations 🎧 Walk-on Song: The Tragically Hip – Canada’s most iconic band, known for storytelling, hockey references and emotional connection. About Heriot Brown: Heriot Brown is a leading global recruitment business specialising in the in-house legal market. We help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers by matching them with exceptional in-house opportunities, while fostering a thriving community of legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave us a review, and share it with your network.

    53 min
  6. Stephanie Lopes, Chief Legal Officer at Volt.io on Courage, Clarity & Stepping Into Leadership

    03/12/2025

    Stephanie Lopes, Chief Legal Officer at Volt.io on Courage, Clarity & Stepping Into Leadership

    Season 8 of Lessons I Learned in Law continues in partnership with Wordsmith AI, the legal-AI platform built for in-house teams. This week, Scott is joined by Stephanie Lopes, Chief Legal Officer at Volt.io, the UK-based fintech scale-up powering global instant payments through open banking. Stephanie joined Volt after a decade in the tech transactions team at Bird & Bird, where she worked closely with the founders from their earliest days and even drafted Volt’s first client contract. In this conversation—recorded just weeks before she goes on maternity leave—Stephanie reflects on her four years helping Volt grow from around 40 employees to more than 150. She shares how secondments across organisations like the Bank of England, Nestlé, and ABB shaped her understanding of what good (and not-so-good) in-house looks like, and how that experience gave her the confidence to join the business post-Series A. Her lessons shine a light on modern, commercial in-house practice:  the importance of clear communication, especially when working cross-functionally; the courage to hold your values, particularly when ethical questions arise at executive level; and embracing your role as a business leader, not just a lawyer—balancing legal judgment with product, people, and operational understanding. Stephanie also discusses preparing her team for her upcoming leave, implementing tools like Ironclad, using AI thoughtfully (including for tone in emails), and the unexpected joy of running an Instagram-famous household of guinea pigs. Guest Recommendations 🎧 Walk-on Song: “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World – Stephanie’s “absolute banger” for any victory lap. 🎧 Runner-up: “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones. About Heriot Brown: Heriot Brown is a leading global recruitment business specialising in the in-house legal market. We help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers by matching them with exceptional in-house opportunities, while fostering a thriving community of legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave us a review, and share it with your network.

    47 min
  7. General Counsel and Executive Team Member at Fugro, Katja Fenton on Leadership, Integrity, Allyship & Stepping Into the C-Suite

    27/11/2025

    General Counsel and Executive Team Member at Fugro, Katja Fenton on Leadership, Integrity, Allyship & Stepping Into the C-Suite

    Season 8 of Lessons I Learned in Law continues in partnership with Wordsmith AI, the legal-AI platform built for in-house teams. This week, Scott is joined by Katja Fenton, General Counsel and Executive Team Member at Fugro, the global geo-data company supporting safer infrastructure, offshore wind development, cleaner energy, and sustainable cities. Remarkably, Katja joined the conversation during her first 90 days—a pivotal moment when lessons feel sharpest, transitions feel largest, and instincts matter most. Katja reflects on the early months of stepping into C-suite leadership while taking on responsibility for a global legal & compliance function of around 60 professionals across four regions. Her first lesson—integrity is trusting your gut, even when it’s uncomfortable—comes from a defining moment early in her career, when she turned down a high-profile international assignment because the work didn’t align with her values. She shares how that instinct has shaped her approach to ethics, leadership, and decision-making ever since. Her second lesson explores the quiet but transformative power of allyship and sponsorship: the people who open doors for you when you’re not in the room. Katja discusses the individuals who have championed her career—from a sixth-form teacher who changed her university path, to leaders who offered opportunities at critical moments—and why she now feels a responsibility to pay it forward. Her final lesson reframes imposter syndrome as evidence of growth. From Dubai’s major construction projects to stepping into the executive team at Fugro, Katja describes how feeling out of depth has consistently signalled the start of her biggest periods of development. Katja also speaks candidly about global mobility, returning to Europe after years in Asia, building diverse teams, raising three young children in the Netherlands, and the importance of curiosity as a core legal skill. Guest Recommendations 📚 The First 90 Days – A practical guide for transitions into new roles. 📚 The Culture Map – Essential reading for navigating multicultural teams. 🎧 The Moth – True storytelling, live and unscripted. 🎧 Lessons I Learned in Law – Katja’s go-to podcast on her commute.  This episode is proudly sponsored by Wordsmith AI — visit https://wordsmith.ai/  to learn more.   About Heriot Brown: Heriot Brown is a leading global recruitment business specialising in the in-house legal market. We help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers by matching them with exceptional in-house opportunities, while fostering a thriving community of legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave us a review, and share it with your network.

    48 min
  8. 🎙️ Build, Don’t Brew: Andy Cooke on Product Thinking, Influence & Culture at Perk

    20/11/2025

    🎙️ Build, Don’t Brew: Andy Cooke on Product Thinking, Influence & Culture at Perk

    Season 8 of Lessons I Learned in Law continues in partnership with Wordsmith AI, the legal-AI platform built for in-house teams. This week, Scott is joined by Andy Cooke, Chief Legal Officer at Perk, the global business travel and expenses platform. Andy shares a grounded, refreshingly practical look at what it means to build and lead an in-house legal team inside a high-growth tech company. Drawing on his experience at Perk and his earlier career in private practice and in-house, Andy unpacks three lessons centred on product thinking, influence and culture. He explains why lawyers should view their work as a product used by internal customers and why simplicity, clarity and usability matter more than long memos. Andy also reflects on the real source of influence inside a business: not job titles or hierarchy, but delivering outcomes that genuinely move the needle. His final lesson focuses on culture as a strategic asset. From hiring curious, low-ego team members to designing processes that scale, Andy shows how the right cultural foundations help legal teams operate as enablers—not gatekeepers—in fast-moving organisations. Away from work, Andy talks about the joy of being back home in Yorkshire after time abroad, and how grounding himself in family, community and routine keeps him balanced.  This episode is proudly sponsored by Wordsmith AI — visit https://wordsmith.ai  to learn more. About Heriot Brown: Heriot Brown is a leading global recruitment business specialising in the in-house legal market. We help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers by matching them with exceptional in-house opportunities, while fostering a thriving community of legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Lessons I Learned in Law, leave us a review, and share it with your network.

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Scott Brown is a 'recovering lawyer'. Following years working in international law firms, Scott now runs Heriot Brown, a Legal Recruitment business. His extensive discussions with people across the legal profession have given him insight into what makes lawyers tick. Now, Scott shares those insights with you - to help you in your career. On each episode Scott invites guests to leave their egos at their door, share their professional successes and challenges, as well as the lessons they've learned in law. Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment. Follow Heriot Brown:Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Information

  • Creator
    Heriot Brown
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Heriot Brown
  • Show Website
    Lessons I Learned in Law

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